This Article is From Sep 13, 2016

'Want To Move Forward': Nepal's Foreign Minister On India Ties

'Want To Move Forward': Nepal's Foreign Minister On India Ties

Ahead of Nepal PM Pushpa Kumal Dahal's India visit, its foreign minister said ties were strong.

New Delhi: Ahead of Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's visit to India, Nepal today made it clear that the issue of Constitution amendment was an internal matter even as it said that both countries need to "introspect" on past issues like the "blockade".

Visiting Nepalese Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat assured full cooperation to India on security issues and said Nepal will not allow its soil to be used against India.

"I think the coming visit of Nepalese Prime Minister will be very fruitful and we will start a new chapter of our relationship," Mr Mahat said.

"Our Constitution is basically very inclusive but of course there is scope for improvement as there is no
Constitution in the world which is perfect," Mr Mahat said.

"Whatever change that needs to be amended is completely internal Nepali process and based on demand and aspiration of the people of Nepal, we will keep on improving our Constitution," he said.

Asked about the new government's expectation from India, the foreign minister said he would rather talk about building relationships based on trust, friendship and cooperation.

"That is what this visit is all about," he said noting that besides his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, he met with Water Minister Uma Bharati, Power Minister Piyush Goyal, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, BJP leader Ram Madhav and Congress leader Janardan Dwivedi.  

"We want to move forward and we should introspect where problems came and what went wrong," he said.

He also said Nepal will air its problem through diplomatic channel.

"We do not want to make it a subject of public finger pointing. Whatever problem we have, whatever we want to achieve, we will work through diplomatic channel," he said, stressing that India should do the same.

"Best thing to do is air concerns and views through diplomatic channels. That is the best way to do, he said.

Rejecting reports that that Chinese President Xi Jinping, has cancelled his proposed trip to Nepal, Mr Mahat said Nepal wants to have good relations with India and China.
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